The legendary sound of VOX Amplification begins with Dick Denney, a young amplifier designer who began working for England’s JMI Corporation in 1957. Dick, a guitarist himself, had his finger on the pulse of the rapidly evolving world of the electric guitar in the late 1950’s and worked tirelessly with the JMI staff to design an amplifier that could offer the volume and sustain that guitarists of the time were craving. The result of their work was introduced to the world in January of 1958. This amplifier, dubbed the AC1/15, marked the very first appearance of the VOX name on a guitar amplifier and thus began an institution that has thrived for nearly 60 years. Later shortened to the AC15, this amplifier quickly became the choice of London’s top guitarists, including Vic Flick who used an AC15 on his iconic recording of the “James Bond Theme”.
With Rock ‘n’ Roll on the rise in the spring of 1960, Dick Denney and the VOX crew quickly recognized that London’s up and coming bands were craving more power from their amplifiers. Rather than design an entirely new amplifier from scratch, Denney decided to stick with what he knew was a winning design and doubled the power of his beloved AC15. To accommodate the increased power of this amplifier, Denney saw it fit to expand the dimensions of the amplifier’s cabinet and add an additional speaker. The resulting amplifier was dubbed the AC30/4 Twin. Boasting 30 watts, two 12” Celestion speakers, four inputs, and two channels – Normal and Vibrato, the AC30/4 Twin was a hit amongst Rock ‘n’ Rollers in London, and quickly established VOX as the most desired amplifier in all of Britain.
The next big thing from VOX, the Top Boost unit, would appear in late 1961. Born out of many guitarists’ yearning for more high end in their sound, the Top Boost unit was initially mounted to the back of the AC30 chassis and granted the user two extra controls, Treble and Bass, as well as an extra gain stage. This unit allowed for an amazing combination of tonal variation and introduced an entirely new and exciting sound to VOX users. The sound of the Top Boost unit became so popular that by 1963 it had become an integral component the circuit of the AC30. Today, the Top Boost circuit remains at the heart of VOX amplifier design and is prominently featured in all of VOX’s Custom Series offerings.
In July of 1962 two young lads from Liverpool would acquire their very first VOX amplifiers, an AC15 Twin and a Top Boost equipped AC30 Twin. Later that year, the group would emerge from the studio with a song called “Love Me Do” and change the world of popular music forever. The unforgettable sound of their jangling guitars would become the standard for great guitar tone for decades. This song, and the frenzy that was to follow this young group in the months to come, would result in VOX becoming the most sought after guitar amplifier in the world.
In the years that followed, VOX Amplification would become a household name, appearing on network television countless times in the United Kingdom and the United States. As more and more British bands began to break through, young Americans began to desire the amplifiers seen on stages with their favorite bands. The sound of VOX amplifiers left a lasting impact on American popular music that is still heard today as many of the biggest bands in the world continue to rely on AC15’s and AC30’s in the world’s best studios and on the biggest stages.
The classic circuits of the 1960s are alive and well in the form of the VOX Custom Series. With an all-tube design based on the classic EL84, Celestion speakers, spring reverb, and analog tremolo, the Custom Series amplifiers are well-equipped to deliver world-class tone for a whole new generation. Find your voice with VOX.
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Custom Series
VOX’s coveted Custom Series amplifiers are synonymous with remarkable guitar tone. Beginning with the birth of British rock ‘n’ roll, the distinguished, all-tube sound and signature chime of VOX amplifiers has inspired the most memorable moments in music history. In the years since exploding onto the scene, VOX has remained the choice of the most discerning players, serving as the voice for emerging artists and legends alike. When you have something to say, a VOX Custom Series amp will get you heard.
The VOX AC15 is the amp that started it all. Boasting both a Normal and Top Boost channel, the AC15 Custom is an all-tube, EL84 driven workhorse that delivers 15 watts of authentic British tone into your choice of a genuine Celestion Greenback or Alnico Blue speaker. The AC15 Custom also offers footswitchable spring reverb and classic VOX tremolo to enhance the already impressive sound. Adored by the biggest names in music for nearly 60 years, the VOX AC15 Custom carries on the tradition that began in 1958 and offers guitarists the unmistakable sound of VOX, with all the refinements of a modern amplifier.
Available models:
AC15C1: 15 Watts, Single 12" Celestion G12M Greenback Speaker
AC15C1X: 15 Watts, Single 12" Celestion Alnico Blue Speaker
VOX AC15C1 / AC15C1X Custom Specifications
Output Power: 15 Watts RMS into 16 Ohms
Speaker: 1 x 12"" 16 ohm Celestion G12M Greenback (AC15C1) or Alnico Blue Speaker (AC15C1X)
Inputs: Normal input jack, Top Boost input jack, Footswitch jack
Outputs: External loudspeaker jack, Extension loudspeaker jack
Dimensions (W x D x H): 602 x 265 x 456 mm / 23.70 x 10.43 x 17.95 inches
Weight: 22 kg / 48.50 lbs.
Options: VFS2A Footswitch
*Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
For those who crave more power, the AC30 expands on the captivating sound of its little brother by doubling the wattage. Employing a quartet of EL84 power tubes, the AC30 Custom pumps 30 watts of remarkable tone through a pair of 12” Celestion Greenback or Alnico Blue speakers. Capable of both enchanting clean and raucous overdriven sounds, the signature chime of the AC30 Custom pairs seamlessly the intricacies of your playing style, resulting in a sound that is truly your own. Perhaps the most iconic amplifier in VOX’s pedigree, the AC30 earned its place in history as the amplifier that powered the British Invasion. Since then, the AC30 has remained the choice of the world’s most accomplished artists who have come to rely on its unique voice to amplify theirs.
Available models:
AC30C2: 30 Watts, 2 x 12" Celestion G12M Greenback Speakers
AC30C2X: 30 Watts, 2 x 12" Celestion Alnico Blue Speakers
VOX AC30C2 Custom Specifications
Output Power: 30 Watts RMS into 16 Ohms
Speaker: 2 x 12" 8 ohm Celestion G12M Greenback
Inputs: Normal input jack (high and low), Top Boost input jack (high and low), FX RETURN jack, Footswitch jack
Outputs: External loudspeaker jack, Extension loudspeaker jack, FX SEND jack
Dimensions (W x D x H): 702 x 265 x 556 mm / 27.64 x 10.43 x 21.89 inches
Weight: 32.2 kg / 70.99 lbs.
Options: VFS2A Footswitch
*Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
VOX AC30C2X Custom Specifications
Output Power: 30 Watts RMS into 16 Ohms
Speaker: 2 x 12" 8 ohm Celestion Alnico Blue
Inputs: Normal input jack (high and low), Top Boost input jack (high and low), FX RETURN jack, Footswitch jack
Outputs: External loudspeaker jack, Extension loudspeaker jack, FX SEND jack
Dimensions (W x D x H): 702 x 265 x 556 mm / 27.64 x 10.43 x 21.89 inches
Weight: 33.4 kg / 73.59 lbs.
Options: VFS2A Footswitch
*Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.